6th annual Coaches vs. Cancer event sees record turnout
By Laura Giammattei
BOYCEVILLE — Once again, Boyceville High School hosted their tremendously successful sixth annual event “Coaches v. Cancer”. As expected, the event saw a record turnout and an impressive $8,300 was raised for the American Cancer Society.
The event was hosted on February 12, the same evening as the rivalry match between the Boyceville Bulldogs and the Glenwood City Hilltoppers ladies varsity basketball teams. These two events combined resulted in the high turnout at the school, where a staggering five hundred area residents attended and participated in various games and entertainment throughout the evening.
Community individuals and small businesses contributed over one hundred items to the event, including a free pizza once a month for a year from Jamie’s Buck-shot Bar in Boyceville, a 50” flat screen television from Walmart, and a Kindle Fire courtesy of the Teacher’s Association. The Boyceville Booster Club also donated $600 worth of food, snacks and drinks and all proceeds went towards their contribution as well.
Items were available through purchasing ticket raffles, bidding on silent auctions and participating in games held throughout the evening. Raffle tickets were kept at a low twenty-five cents per ticket, to encourage participation and to keep donation options open.
One particularly popular event was “dash for cash” where spectators participated during one basketball game time-out and quickly raised $840 in just eighty-seven seconds. While useful for fundraising, the mini-event also carried the message that someone is diagnosed with cancer every eight-seven seconds.
Another game was held during half-time where attendees hit the court in an attempt to win fifty dollars in cash. Each participant made a donation to take a shot from the three-point line. Those that made their shot moved on to take a shot from mid-court for the fifty dollars. One participant managed to sink his bucket to win the prize.
Boyceville first grade teacher, Jolene Bird and Early Education teacher, Katie Ouellette have been large advocates for Coaches v. Cancer and also participate in other events throughout the year that bring funds in for the American Cancer Society. Their passion to create awareness for this deadly disease is reflected in their efforts in organizing the Coaches v. Cancer event each year.
“We are so thrilled about how much support this event has gotten over the years. It seems like every year more and more people attend,” Ouellette said. “And every year, the amount donated has increased. I believe our first year, we made about five thousand.”
“Awareness is our biggest goal with these events,” added Bird. “It is so important to visit your doctor annually to check and make sure you are healthy. Survivors of cancer tend to be individuals that caught the disease in its early stages.”
Currently, funds for Coaches v. Cancer are still coming in as Tiffany Creek Elementary School is holding a teaching staff potluck lunch held on Fridays during the month of March. Once the potluck has concluded, those donations will add to the funds made for the Coaches v. Cancer event.
The event was made possible by the efforts of Jolene Bird, Katie Ouellette, and generous donations from many members of the community.
